TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
> I interviewed for a UNIX/Windows sw app online help dev where
> I was asked why manhole covers were round.
My answer, many years ago: "for the same reason a trochoid would
work."
Seriously, the idea behind these kind of interview questions (so the
interviewers tell themselves) is to test how well you think on your
feet. The real idea may have more to do with the interviewers
congratulating themselves for being so clever, iconoclastic, and
nerdy.
I have noticed a strong trend away from that kind of interviewing
lately. Have you all noticed that as well?